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Town Crier: Don’t be a stat on the crime log

No one likes being a victim. Yet, collectively, we’re being bullied. Thieves are working the hills like contestants on a timed shopping spree. What they see is what they get.

Consider the latest reports — criminals casing the street outside Montclair Elementary School — watching for moms who leave purses in their vehicles. In broad daylight, with parents all around, they smash car windows and grab anything of value, then drive off.

Don’t think you’re safe if you take your purse with you. Thieves are looking for handbags on shoulders, too. Reader Ingrid Gudenas says she was accosted outside McCaulous on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

“A guy grabbed my purse, broke the strap off my shoulder and ran off with it,” she writes. The thief took off in a waiting car that raced through the Lucky lot and down to the street. Just like that, they disappeared in a tangle of freeway traffic.

The sense of security we feel in the hills is being threatened. Yes, we need more police, but we also need more street smarts. Let’s do everything we can to avoid being victims. The thieves need to know that we’re wise to their tricks.

On screen: It’s time for a little Hollywood diversion. The 10th annual Oakland International Film Festival opens April 6 at the Oakland Museum. Local actress Jules Bruff is one of the artists, showing her acclaimed indy film “Part-time Fabulous” at 2:15 p.m. April 7. Bruff is a Bishop O’Dowd grad who started acting when she was 7. She’s been in more than 40 commercials, network TV shows and feature films including “Zodiac.” Let’s get out and support her.

Around town: Folks are holding out hope that the popular Montclair Physical Therapy & Wellness can reopen in the Village. Word on the street has them moving into the building behind Le Bon Bon after a dispute over rent in their previous location.

Speaking of Le Bon Bon, the candy shop suffered major water damage in last week’s storms. The owner says much of his Easter inventory is ruined. Apparently, chocolate bunnies don’t like to be cold and wet anymore than the rest of us.

Noodle this: Ladies and gentlemen, start your burners. The annual Montclair Pasta Championships are at A.G. Ferrari at 4 p.m. March 31. The cook with the best pasta dish wins a six-month supply of pasta from the popular purveyor of Italian foods. Rules are on display at the store or on A.G. Ferrari’s website and Facebook page.